Thursday June 7, 2012 (Vol. 37 No. 46) 6) 6)
V O I C E
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Mo’ music: MuchMo’ – dedicated to the danceable classics of the Motown era – plays its first date Saturday at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240. see page 311
City threatens fines
Two hurt, two arrested
Complaints baffle dog groomer
‘Targeted’ attack leads to charges
Dan Ferguson Staff Reporter
Juanita Mennear says whoever is making anonymous complaints about her South Surrey dog daycare and grooming business is at best misinformed and at worst, “just nasty.” For the last 19 years, the single mother has operated Juanita’s Doggy Den with her daughter Jazmin on premises next to her home in the 2100-block of 128 Street. During that time, Mennear says no one ever complained about the noise from her dog grooming and daycare business, not even when a new subdivision went up close to her house about two years ago. But in the last month, she says there have been at least three complaints filed with the City of Surrey under the “Animal Noise” bylaw that states “No person shall own, keep or harbour any animal or bird which by its cries unduly disturbs the peace, quiet, ❝We haven’t rest or tranquility of tried to do the surrounding neighanything bourhood or the public to bother at large.” A May 3 letter from anybody.❞ the city’s legal services Juanita Mennear department advisdog groomer ing Mennear of the complaints says fines can range from $100 to $2,000 for each offence. “Every day that a violation exists is considered a separate offence,” bylaw enforcement officer Alan Campbell writes. The letter doesn’t state who made the complaint, but Mennear suspects it may be the same person who posted snarky remarks about her business on various websites that allow anonymous customer reviews. “I live behind them and they are constantly yelling at the dogs,” one such posting claims (Mennear denies the allegation). The online remarks were posted about three weeks ago, about the same time that the city started getting complaints. “We haven’t tried to do anything to bother anybody,” Mennear told Peace Arch News Wednesday (June 6). “We’re just really upset that someone would try to force us to leave after we’ve
Dan Ferguson Staff Reporter
Dan Ferguson photo
Dog groomer Juanita Mennear applies the finishing touches to 12-year-old Kaslo. After 19 years in her current location, anonymous noise complaints may force her to move. been here for so many years.” Mennear is considering closing down her dog daycare service and has begun looking into selling her property. “This was supposed to be my one and only house,” she said. “But we may have no choice.” Mennear is telling her clients that she will keep her dog grooming business going
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even if the daycare is closed. An initial search for an alternate location failed to find anything suitable in the South Surrey area where most of her customers live, Mennear says. “There isn’t a spot close enough.” Mennear worries she may have to go to as far away as Langley to find a suitable location.
A 24-year-old White Rock man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a police raid rescued him from a home in the 15300block of Pacific Avenue on May 24. White Rock RCMP Const. Janelle Shoihet – in discussing charges announced Tuesday against two Surrey men – said the man’s eyes were swollen shut and he had a welt on the back of his head, but the victim was released after spending a day in hospital. The man was one of two hurt in what police describe as a “targeted attack” on May 22. The other man, a 40-year-old White Rock resident, suffered less severe injuries that did not require hospitalization, Shoihet said. Peace Arch News first reported the incident online May 25. At the time, police released few details, citing safety concerns for those involved. Tuesday, police disclosed that two Surrey men have been charged with multiple criminal offences in connection with the alleged assaults and unlawful confinement. Robert Orr, 28, was arrested on May 25 and Tyrone McDougall, 33, was arrested June 1. Both McDougall and Orr have been charged with two counts each of forcible confinement, aggravated assault, assault and theft. Orr is charged with additional counts of assault with a weapon and uttering threats. The raid that rescued the alleged victim was carried out by members of the White Rock RCMP and the CFSEU (Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit), the regional agency that investigates organized crime activity. Police said they believe the case is drugrelated, but does not involve gangs. According to court records, both accused men were still in custody as of Wednesday morning. McDougall and Orr were scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on Friday morning (June 8).
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